USPTO

Have you heard? James E. West celebrates a milestone birthday on February 10. The world hears things a lot better due to the efforts of West, an acoustical science inventor who turns 90 this month.

In 1942, the iconic actress received a patent from the then-National Inventors Council for co-inventing a radio signaling device that changed radio frequencies to keep enemies from decoding messages. She figured the device could help in the World War II effort.

His speech on Jan. 8, 1790—the forerunner to what we now call the State of the Union Address—touched on issues including defense, foreign policy, the economy, education, naturalization, science, and literature. Elected America’s first president 11 months later, he oversaw the ratification of the Constitution and led the formation of the government.

Getting a patent may seem difficult. It’s important to understand the steps along the way, so the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s new Expanding Innovation Hub has the information you need to demystify the patent system.

Marian Croak’s prominent role in advancements for internet phone connections have resulted in her being the latest inventor featured in the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Trading Card Series.